The only city in West Sussex, Chichester’s history dates back to the Roman era when the settlement of Noviomagus Reginorum was founded as a military garrison shortly after the Roman Invasion of 43AD. The military usage was short-lived, and the settlement was quickly adopted as a Romano-British civilian settlement. By the time of Alfred the Great, Chichester had become a substantial town and its future as a major county town of Sussex was cemented.
Despite being continually redeveloped to the present day, much of the city’s built heritage survives, with representations from most of the major historical eras dating back to its foundation. This journey through the city’s past, as represented by its buildings, covers all aspects of Chichester’s history: religious, medical, educational, administrative, political, military and social history. Alongside the city’s favourite buildings such as the Market Cross, Cathedral and The Novium Museum, some of the more unusual aspects of the history of the city will be revealed. For example, County Hall’s formerly top-secret role during the Cold War, the rule-breaking 1960s architecture of Marriott House, and the Chichester Harbour Hotel where General Dwight D. Eisenhower hosted a meeting of his D-Day advisors.
Chichester in 50 Buildings explores the history of this city in West Sussex through a selection of its most interesting buildings and structures, showing the changes that have taken place over the years. The book will appeal to all those who live in Chichester or who have an interest in the area.